Art is all around us. You might find a stunning mural painted on the side of a dilapidated building or a pothole filled in with a vibrant mosaic. But art is subjective, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you’re likely to spot plenty of bizarre and hilarious tidbits of vandalism in the most random places.
Below, we’ve gathered some of our favorite pics from the “It’s Graffiti, But Why?” Facebook group, which shares photos of strange and silly messages hidden in the most random places. These pieces probably don’t belong in art museums, but they can certainly be entertaining. So enjoy scrolling through, and keep reading to find a conversation with the group’s creator, Lubert Das!
#1
Image credits: Daniel Smith
#2 What Did Yoda Do?
Image credits: Mark Andrew Hall
#3 Toilet Favourite
Image credits: Noel Kellett
The “It’s Graffiti, But Why?” Facebook group has been around since 2015 and has already amassed an impressive 91k members. It is described as “a place to post and share pointless, random, silly and meaningless graffiti,” and as you can see here, there’s no shortage of silly graffiti out there.
To find out more about where “It’s Graffiti, But Why?” came from, we reached out to the group’s creator, Lubert Das, who was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda. “It started in my head about 30 years ago when I saw the graffiti ‘Adrian Robinson smells of fish and chips,'” Lubert shared. “It stayed with me for years until I thought there must be others like me that love random graffiti. I decided to give it a go and start a group. It’s taken a few years to get going, but it’s good to see so many other like-minded people.”
#4 South London
Image credits: Dickon Exton
#5
Image credits: Claire Martin
#6 Spotted In Gap, France
Image credits: Mélissa Delteil
We also asked Lubert what the community of “It’s Graffiti, But Why?” is like. “The members are very active,” he shared. “Sometimes too active, and keeping up with posts is hard work at times. There’s a good team of admins at work behind the scenes to keep it running smoothly.”
As far as why these photos are so popular, the group’s creator says he believes amateur graffiti is too often overlooked. “I like serious graffiti too,” Lubert noted. “But amateur, childish graffiti never leaves us. It’s a reminder of our childhood. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing.”
#7 Grumpy Goat Toilet. Reading. Cheese Jokes Encouraged!
Image credits: Karl Williams
#8 Dial ‘M’ For ‘Missing Phone’… (In An Elevator In Brussels.)
Image credits: Thomas Van Linter
#9 Sheffield, England
Image credits: John Zak Jones
When it comes to Lubert’s favorite posts that have been shared in the group, he told Bored Panda that there are a few standouts. “‘Fred Dibnah did 9/11’ is one I’ll never forget,” the creator says. “I just wish phone cameras were around when I saw ‘Adrian Robinson smells of fish and chips.’”
Lubert also wanted to thank everyone involved in making the group such a fun place. “Please be on the lookout for random graffiti,” he added. You never know what you’re going to find!
#10 Under The New Bridge. Berwick Upon Tweed. ….you First!
Image credits: Gayle Litster
#11 Cardiff
Image credits: Bill Kirby
#12
Image credits: Denson Ian
While you might not be impressed by writing in a school bathroom or on the bench at a bus stop, there’s certainly a wide variety of graffiti out there. And according to some, graffiti actually is art, as well as vandalism. ArtLife explains on their site that one of the reasons why graffiti should be considered art is that it takes technical skill. Painting or spray painting a recognizable image or words in an extravagant font isn’t easy. So whether you appreciate it or not, ArtLife argues that art is always subjective, and graffiti’s still art.
#13 This Guy Knows The Game
Image credits: Richard A Wright
#14 Spotted On A Small Door In Stockholm
Image credits: Meron Roberts
#15 Leytonstone, East London
Image credits: Sam Quill
Graffiti can also exemplify freedom of expression. An artist doesn’t need a gallery or clients to take to the streets and start sharing their message. They can remain anonymous when creating graffiti if they so choose, and they can share important takes on political and social issues without being silenced. In fact, graffiti has long been a way for activists and passionate individuals to bring light to issues. Over the past year and a half, I’ve seen countless Ukrainian flags and “Slava Ukraini” messages pop up in various places. This kind of graffiti can be a great reminder of what’s going on in the world, especially for those who only have access to a very narrow source of news.
#16 Simple But Effective
Image credits: Angela Hatherell
#17 Haha
Image credits: Lauren Morrison
#18 Ended Up Making This My Cover Photo
Image credits: Annalise Furner
When graffiti is done well, it can also bring new life to a space. An old Soviet block building can be transformed when a vibrant mural is painted on one side. And unexpected art in hidden nooks and crannies on the street can be exciting for passersby to find. There’s no reason why we can’t bring pleasant aesthetics to the most unexpected places. Sometimes that means on a random tree in the forest, and other times that means on the door of a bathroom stall. The possibilities are endless!
#19 Haha
Image credits: Daniel John Cannon
#20 Slick
Image credits: Beth Row
#21 Thats Art
Image credits: Betty Bean
While there’s no question that graffiti is usually vandalism, there are a few artists in particular whose pieces have become so popular that they’ve been considered art first and foremost. Perhaps the most popular is Banksy. This anonymous British artist has created a variety of famous pieces around the world, including Girl With Balloon, Pulp Fiction, Flower Thrower or Love Is In The Air, Love Is In The Bin, and more. He protects his identity, due to the fact that graffiti is illegal, but his pieces have sold for over a million dollars at auction.
#22 You Decide!
Image credits: Daniel Carnall
#23
Image credits: Zak Thistleton
#24 Hm
Image credits: Jay Blunt
Invader is another famous graffiti artist, whose name comes from the 1970s video game Space Invaders. He’s created work in 53 cities throughout France and Europe, making over 4,000 pieces. From the top of the Eiffel Tower, you can even spot one of his famous Space Invader mosaics. While his real name has been revealed to the public, he still prefers to go by a pseudonym, given his line of work.
#25 Featherstone West Yorkshire
Image credits: Michaela Wassell
#26 Long Egg Anyone?
Image credits: Becky Holmes
#27 Download Festival Portaloo 2013
Image credits: Ruth Green
We hope you’re enjoying scrolling through this virtual art gallery of amateur graffiti, pandas. We certainly don’t condone vandalism, but if it’s already there, why can’t we get some enjoyment out of it? Keep upvoting the pics you find most amusing, and if you’re in the mood for even more, you can find our previous article featuring “It’s Graffiti, But Why?” right here!
#28 Funny Weird Grafitti
Image credits: Tony Kinson
#29 Go Tina
Image credits: Hayley Cook
#30 Poo With Friends
Image credits: Stephanie Watson
#31 Northwich, U.k
Image credits: Adam Taylor
#32 This Is Why I Don’t Own A Car
Image credits: Mike Zingston
#33 Delicious Clam, Sheffield
Image credits: Ashley Sharman
#34 My Daughter Spotted This In Weymouth…have Funny Diets Down There
Image credits: Jason Kenway
#35 Just Couldn’t Help Looking
Image credits: Anna Cameron
#36 It Really Shouldn’t Need To Be Mentioned
Image credits: Lubert Das
#37 Same
Image credits: No Context Britain
#38 Press If Gay
Image credits: Tim Draper
#39 Look Out Dudes!
Image credits: Andy England
#40 Hm
Image credits: Brad Harrington
#41 Someone Trying To Get The Free Gash Out. Bristol
Image credits: Leanne Harrington
#42 The Combo We Didn’t Know We Needed
Image credits: Richard Kelly
#43
Image credits: Paul Morris
#44 Funny Weird Graffiti
Image credits: Jamie Lamb
#45 Funny Weird Graffiti
Image credits: Chris Moore
#46 When You Take A Stroll Around North London And The Walls Start Communicating With You…
Image credits: Lester Sharpe
#47 Poets Are Those Who Muddy The Water To Make It Look Deep
Image credits: Daniel Sowsbery
#48 I’ll Let You Guess Where This Was Taken
Image credits: David Bæcestre
#49 Wardley – Gateshead
Image credits: James Summerson-Hollywood
#50 Right? Bergen, Norway
Image credits: Tauno Nõulik
#51 Found In King George’s Park Near Limehouse
Image credits: Janifer Salvia Pahlen
#52 Funny Weird Graffiti
Image credits: Philip Creek
#53 Hm
Image credits: Gary Battisson
#54 It’s Graffiti, But Why?
Image credits: Alice Bradley
#55 There’s No Place Like A London Pub Loo To Make You Appreciate The Universal Truths Of The Human Condition
Image credits: Tommy Nyberg
#56 Yeah, Me Too!
Image credits: Alistair Hall
#57 Different I Guess?
Image credits: Matt Wood
#58
Image credits: Sarah Preece
#59 Seen In Reykjavík… They Have A Point… The Northern Lights Are Great
Image credits: Shelley Edwards
#60 Must Be Steak For That
Image credits: Steven Robson
#61 Still No Word From Clint
Image credits: Simon Johnston
#62 The Louder You Shout, The Less They’ll Listen ? Derby
Image credits: Kate Ivie
#63 Is It??
Image credits: Callum Cairns
#64 Ffs Nicki It’s Been Months Now
Image credits: Marc Lawless
#65 Seen In Falmouth
Image credits: Lee Rankine
#66 Offense Taken – Liverpool
Image credits: Kerrie Wolfendale
#67 Amen To That
Image credits: Tony Kinson
#68 I’m In Doubt About The Dowt
Image credits: Ædam Sean
#69 Thank You For Coming To My Ted Talk
Image credits: Helen Vance
#70 Darlo Dog Poo Dave Is Back!
Image credits: Sarah Hunter
#71 Wandsworth, London Hung Outside A New Build Complex
Image credits: Pete Mortimore
#72
Image credits: Rex L Hunt Jr
#73 A Grammar Lesson In The Toilets Of The Town Wall, Newcastle
Image credits: Joseph Battye
#74
Image credits: Andrew Green
#75 Malcolm Fitzgerald
Image credits: I knew it
#76 Spotted At A Bus Stop In Nottingham Captain Obvious Strikes Again
Image credits: Danny Keith Robson
#77 Gotta Love The Hippos. Shame About The Apostrophe
Image credits: Leigh Green
#78 A+
Image credits: Stev McBridgeburner
#79 Got Em! Now What?
Image credits: Lauren Morrison
#80 Funny Weird Graffiti
Image credits: Hamish Berryman
#81 Seen In Local Truck Stop
Image credits: Elizabeth Moreland
#82 It’s A No From Me. St Helens, Merseyside
Image credits: Elizabeth Jarvis
#83
Image credits: Richard Kelly
#84
Image credits: Dan Sunderland
#85 Hm
Image credits: Jason Randall
#86 ‘Was You ?’ Found In My Village In Southport
Image credits: Louise Heys